Shoe Guide 2013

The color scheme scared us (it's inspired by the poison dart frog), but our Girl Next Door gave it her thumbs-up: "Definite swag!" These grippy kicks fit securely, thanks to a socklike upper and asymmetrical lacing that takes pressure off your tendons.

With zero drop (they're level from heel to toe) but 9 millimeters of cushioning, these shoes can help you power through sprint intervals and strength circuits. The x-strap system ensures that your feet are secure and your laces never go rogue.

A true fitness multi­tasker, these trainers are light and flexible enough for agility drills, strength exercises, and skipping rope. But thanks to their plush running-shoe midsoles, you'll also have a comfortable, cushioned ride for your 10K.

Designed with input from MH's BJ Gaddour (who you know from the ultimate Speed Shred workout), this minimalist shoe has just enough cushioning, a wide toe box, and a sticky Vibram sole. Your dogs will be comfortable, even if you're out of your comfort zone.

Aimed at lifters, this beefy shoe has a polyurethane stability wedge in the heel that our tester said made him feel “glued to the ground when doing squats and deadlifts.” Heat the wedges the oven for 3 minutes and they mold to your feet for a custom fit.

Wearing this lightweight trainer—which has no midsole and no drop from heel to toe—feels like going barefoot. With an advantage: The thin sticky rubber outsole, developed from climbing rubber, protects your feet from gym detritus and provides traction if you start to spin your wheels.

Saucony earned its rep with supportive, stable, long-distance workhorses. The Kinvara 4 takes that heritage and runs with it. The result: a flatter, more flexible shoe, built for speed and comfort. Use them when doing one of these great speed workouts.

Wed the form-improving benefits of a barefoot-style sneaker with the cushioning of a traditional running shoe and you have this zero-drop speedster. An extra-wide toe box helps you push off with power, and a plush midsole lets you land in comfort.

Spring forward with this shoe, which has a midsole made from 2,500 polyurethane capsules fused together. The Runner's World lab confirms its industry-leading cushioning (based on the amount of energy from the foot strike that returns on the rebound).

We can't all prance around in minimalist running shoes, landing on our forefoot. The 13th iteration of this popular Brooks model offers road-proven stability, major support, and plush cushioning that's great for high-mileage heel strikers.

With the same supportive-yet-stretchy woven upper Nike created for its Olympic track spikes, this virtually seamless shoe adjusts to the shape of your foot for custom-quality comfort. The foam midsole provides more cushioning than minimalist shoes do, but it’s not too plush.

Oversized lugs in the forefoot of this trail runner, designed to absorb shock and buffer you from impact, and only a 7-millimeter drop from heel to toe make it easier to transition to an efficient midfoot strike. Never run off-road? Follow these 7 trail running tips.

It’s running-shoe comfort and light-hiker support wrapped in a waterproof-breathable membrane. The outsole features a bidirectional lug pattern (based on feedback from Salomon’s trail-running team) that provides traction going up and good braking going down.

Don’t be fooled by the casual sneaker look. This approach shoe has a sticky outsole made of high-end climbing-shoe rubber, so you can scramble above the treeline with confidence. The leather upper will look even better scuffed up after you rock out.

Keen built its rep on tugboat-looking sandals with outsoles that look like massive bumpers. The Clearwater keeps the toe protection, but has a slimmer, flatter outsole, with just a 4-millimeter drop, giving you greater feel to maneuver around a raft, kayak, or paddleboard.

Whether you're doing a Tough Mudder or a tough off-road run, this trailblazer can give you a leg up. It's lightweight, but thanks to a dual-compression midsole and snake-shaped forefoot shield, it sacrifices no cushioning or protection.

Danish brand Ecco is known for comfort, and this spikeless, waterproof shoe, with a buttery leather upper and responsive midsole, lives up to the rep. Underfoot, traction bars provide the grip you'll need should you try to swing out of the shoes.